FinanceXplained
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Financial Statements & Performance Analysis
Available Online
The first upcoming dates or use "All Dates"

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PROGRAM OUTLINE for this 2 day course in English

Why This Course? 

A thorough understanding of the annual accounts is critical to decipher the true state of affairs, results, creditworthiness, and enterprise valuation. Gain insight into the most crucial reports in just 2 days.

The learning & outcome

1. Understand the Annual Report (Structure and Purpose)

  • Introduction to annual reports: listed (regulated) vs. non-listed (flexible).
  • Key sections: foreword/CEO review, financial statements, notes, audit report.
  • Understand GAAP vs. IFRS and their impact on reporting.
  • Identify data sources: company websites, legal websites, and stock exchange information.

2. Financial Analysis: Master Quantitative Analysis of Financial Data

  • The profit and loss statement: Revenue, costs, profitability.
  • Balance sheet: Assets, liabilities, equity.
  • Cash flow statement: Operating, investing, and financing activities.
  • Ratios: liquidity (current ratio), profitability (ROS), investors (ROE), efficiency (DSO, DPO, DIO).

3. Non-Financial: Qualitative Analysis Influencing Performance

  • Business model, strategy, and market position.
  • Risk factors: legislation, environment, operational.
  • Governance and sustainability (ESG).
  • Management perspective on growth and external insights (news, social media).

4. Conclusion and Recommendations

  • Financial Analyst: Trends, forecasts.
  • CFO/Credit Manager: Liquidity, creditworthiness (DSO, cash flow).
  • Investor/Shareholder: ROI, growth potential.
  • Supplier/Customer: Payment reliability, and stability.
  • SWOT analysis, benchmarking, and scenarios (short vs. long term).

5. Presentation and Reporting: Communicate Findings Clearly and Effectively

  • Structure reports with key figures and visuals (e.g., profit trends).
  • Tailor presentations: technical for analysts, simple for clients.

6. Case Study: Practical Learning with AI-Driven Research

  • Objective: Apply skills using AI tools.
  • Use AI for stakeholder insights and competitor comparison.
  • Develop AI-supported recommendations and predictions.

Who is it for?

  • Managers and Consultants: Seeking to develop strategic recommendations.
  • Financial Analysts: Wanting to understand trends and forecasts for investment advice.
  • CFOs and Credit Managers: Needing to manage liquidity, solvency, and credit risks.
  • Investors and Shareholders: Assessing returns and growth potential.
  • Suppliers and Customers: Looking for reliability and stability in business partners.

Learning Methodology: Residential and Online

The training is delivered through a blend of theory and concepts, combined with practical and interactive exercises and case studies. Practice-oriented learning and critical analysis are key themes in all our courses, ensuring participants can immediately apply the acquired knowledge and techniques in their workplace.

Syllabus

Day 1:

 

  Financial Statements Introduction

  • Introducing the key source of information for stakeholders of the organisation and the importance of them.
  • Learn the importance of the management commentary
  • The balance sheet: content & structure and the linkages.
  • The income statement: content & structure and the linkage with the balance sheet.
  • Cash flow statement: The importance and creation and evaluation of the cash flow statement.   
  • Evaluation of the notes on the accounts and audit report.

 

  Introduction to our Case Study

  • The case study is used throughout the 2-day presentation assessing the full complexity of an annual report. 
  • After each topic participants apply the techniques learned and put them into practice.  

 

  The Nature of Financial Statements

  • Who needs financial statements and analysis of the external stakeholders?
  • The reporting to external stakeholders

 

  The Balance Sheet

  • Learn how the balance sheet is structured.
  • Critical analysis of the items
  • Analysis of Current and Non-current Assets
  • Analysis of Tangible and Non-tangible items

 

  The Income Statement

  • Learn the structure of the income statement
  • Determine what is recorded in the income statement
  • Analyse the different levels of profit
  • Assumptions and their impact.

 

  The Cash Flow statement

  • What is cash Flow
  • What is reported in the cash flow statement
  • How is a cash flow statement organised?
  • Cash flow from operating activities
  • Cash flow from investing activities
  • Cash flow from financing activities

 

Day 2:

 

  Ratio and Performance Analysis An Introduction

  • Interpreting the figures and business trends as provided in the balance sheet, the income statement and the cash flow statement.
  • Who needs and why do we need ratios
  • Ratio historical analysis, peer and industry comparison

 

  Evaluation and analysis of profitability ratios

  • Profitability ratio's introduction
  • Return on sales (ROS) and analysis of efficiency
  • Asset utilisation ratio (AUR) and analysis of effectiveness
  • Return on capital employed (ROCE) and profitability performance assessment

 

  Liquidity and Solvency

  • Determine the sources of finance
  • Liquidity introduction
  • The use of the current ratio
  • The use of the quick ratio and difference
  • Working capital and the importance of managing working capital 
  • Solvency
  • Leverage and gearing
  • Asses the capital employed in a business

 

  Operating Efficiency

  • Learn about the cycle of production
  • Creditor days and what is acceptable 
  • Stock days and managing inventory
  • Trade receivable days and managing the number of days

 

  Investor Ratio's

  • Return on equity
  • Pay-out ratio
  • Interest cover
  • Earnings per share
  • Residual Income

 

  A critical review and conclusion on our case

  •  Advantages and limitations of ratios

 

 

Participant feedback

  • Sofie, Manager at a consultancy firm: "From balance sheets to strategy, everything was clearly explained. The presentation tips make my advice more convincing. Perfect for consultants!"
  • Ahmed, CFO of a medium-sized company: "Cash flows and ratios like DSO are no longer a mystery. The AI tools assist me practically in my work. Extremely valuable for credit management!"
  • Lisa, Investor: "Financial analysis combined with growth potential and risks. In two days, I gained tools for smart investments. Exactly what I needed!"
  • Mark, Supplier in the construction sector: "Quickly learn to assess the stability and payment behaviour of clients. Both financial and operational insights are applicable. A short but powerful programme!"
  • Peter, Financial Analyst: "This training gave me insight into annual reports in just two days. The AI case study was a game-changer for competitor analysis. A real boost for my work!"

Learn the way that suits you most!



MEETING ROOM



ONLINE

1.  Small group sizes to ensure quality, debate & interaction (Max 15 People)
2.  Prime hotel locations
3.  Interact with the speakers & members
4.  Teamwork
5.  Access to our Online learning platform
6.  Use of whiteboard
7.  Share professional experience with other participants
8.  Network with participants
1.  Small group sizes to ensure quality, debate & interaction (Max 12 People)
2.  Via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Cisco WebEx
3.  Interact with the speaker & members
4.  Virtual teamwork through breakout rooms
5.  Access to our Online learning platform
6.  Use of electronic whiteboard
7.  Share professional experience with other participants
8.  Network with participants
9.  Greater convenience at your office or home
10. Geographic flexibility - No travel needed

Course Lecturers



Maureen Whitehead-Lausman, MBA

19 years associate lecturer in Financial Strategy and Corporate Strategy for a triple accredited global business school. 20 years’ experience developing and delivering training programs for large and medium sized companies including in Germany, China, USA, Singapore, Ethiopia, South Africa, Russia and Romania. Corporate finance, value based management and finance for non-financial managers at middle and senior management level are a particular interest.  


Kris De Clercq, MBA

Kris has lectured finance to managers for more than 25 years in Europe and Eastern Europe. His teaching as an associate for a UK based global business school included “Issues in International Finance and Investments”,” Corporate Finance” and “Issues in IFRS”. His industry experience is over 20 years working for asset managers, investment banks, global custodians in the UK, Luxembourg and Belgium. He received a universities award for innovation in finance teaching and learning.  


OUR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
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Books we studied for you



International Financial Statement Analysis Workbook (CFA Institute Investment Series)
International Financial Statement Analysis Workbook (CFA Institute Investment Series)

To enhance your understanding of the tools and techniques presented in International Financial Statement Analysis, pick up the International Financial Statement Analysis Workbook. This companion study guide contains carefully constructed problems with detailed solutions as well as concise learning outcome statements and summary chapter overviews  


Financial Statements: Analysis and Reporting - Felix I. Lessambo
Financial Statements: Analysis and Reporting - Felix I. Lessambo

Through a mixture of concepts and examples, this book demystifies the variety of elements of financial accounting and uncovers the need-to-know information for certification in this field. This book covers the two aspects of financial statement analysis, namely quantitative and non-quantitative analysis. Concluding with helpful case studies, the book will appeal to students and academics of financial accounting.  


Financial statement analysis workbook - Martin S Fridson, Fernando Alvarez
Financial statement analysis workbook - Martin S Fridson, Fernando Alvarez

The companion Workbook to Financial Statement Analysis, Fourth Edition Whether you're evaluating a company's stock price, assessing its credit quality, or determining valuations for a merger or acquisition, deciphering the messages embedded within a company's financial statements is critical, especially after the recent financial crisis.  




Companies who attended our courses


AG Insurance, Allianz Benelux, Argenta NV, AXA Belgium, Baloise Insurance, Banca Monte Paschi Belgio S.A., Bank De Groof, Banking Association (Kosovo), Belfius Investment Partners, BNP Paribas Fortis, Bpost Bank, Buy Way, CBC Bank, Cegeka, Celio Finance SPRL, Credendo, Delen Private Bank, Delta Lloyd Life, Deutsche Bank AG, DKV Belgium, Ethias SA, Euler Hermes Services, Euroclear Bank SA/NV, Euroclear Investments, Europ Assistance, European Investment Bank – EIB (Luxembourg), European Union – EDFIMC / ElectriFI, Flanders Investment & Trade, Gras Savoye Belgium, Incofin Investment Management, ING Bank België, KBC Bank, Mastercard, Ministry of European Integration (Kosovo), National Bank of Belgium, NN Insurance Belgium, Petercam, Record Bank, Société Générale Private Banking, SWIFT, The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Triodos Bank, VGD International – Audit & Tax, Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, Zurich Insurance plc, Belgium branch, Vanbreda International
 
Afton Chemical SPRL, Air Liquide, Allnex Belgium SA/NV, ANL Plastics, Ansell, ARC Europe SA, Arcelor Mittal (Belgium & Luxembourg), Axalta Coating Systems, BASF Antwerpen, BASF Belgium Coordination Center, Beaulieu International Group, Bekaert, Borealis Polymers NV, Bridgestone Europe SA, CNH Industrial Belgium NV, Cofely Fabricom, Cytec Belgium, DOMO Chemicals (Germany), Donaldson, Dow Corning, Electrolux Appliances AB, Engineered Pressure Systems International, European Owens Corning Fiberglas, Fost Plus, GDF Suez, Griffith Foods, Hamon & Cie, Heraeus Electro-Nite International NV, Jacobs Belgium, KODAK SA/NV, Milliken Europe, Niko Group, NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), SOLVAY, SPX Cooling Technologies, Synventive Molding Solutions (Germany), TERUMO EUROPE, Tessenderlo, Vinçotte International, VPK Packaging Group NV, WABCO, Yara Belgium NV
 
Antwerp World Diamond Centre, AVEVE Biochem NV, Carrefour Belgium, Delhaize Corporate Group, Godiva, IKEA

Abbott Logistics B.V. (Netherlands), AbbVie (Canada), Agfa HealthCare NV, Alcon, Alcon-Couvreur, Amplifon, AZ Sint-Blasius, Baxter International (Austria), Catalent Pharma Solutions, CinnaGen (Tehran), Datwyler Pharma Packaging International, Groep OZ ESV, Hologic, Landelijke Christelijke mutualiteit (LCM), Mutualités Libres: MLOZ, Novartis Pharma, SA Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium NV, Stryker (Netherlands), Terumo BCT Europe NV, UCB, Zorgbedrijf Antwerpen
 
AW Europe, Belgacom, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK-CEN), CISCO, Corelio Printing, De Persgroep Publishing nv, EDF Luminus, Elia System Operator, Engie Electrabel NV/SA, Eni Gas & power, Fluxys Belgium, INFRABEL, Itineris NV, KEYRUS, M-Team, NRB, ORANGE, Proximus, Siemens, Telenet
 
Agentschap Innoveren en Ondernemen, Europees Parlement, Ministry of European Integration, National Agency for Protection of Personal Data, Nationale Loterij, SD Diensten NV (SD Worx), SESAR Joint Undertaking, Stad Antwerpen, Stadsbestuur Harelbeke, Syntra Brussel, UGent – FBW, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
 
Acturus sprl, ARC Europe, BDO, BIA Africa, Bia Overseas, Brooser BE Operations, Capgemini, Cipal Schaubroeck, Compass-Group, Computacenter, Computer Task Group, Deloitte Accountancy, Egemin International, Enhesa International, FIS (former Clear2Pay), Interel Group, K&L Gates, Matexi NV, Minds&More, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, PwC Tax Consultants, Securex, Toreon, Vinçotte International sa
 
Alcopa, Alstom Belgium, ARC Europe, Brussels Airport Company, De Lijn, D'Ieteren Auto, EUROCONTROL, Gemeentelijk Havenbedrijf Antwerpen, Globachem nv, GSC Greensea Chartering, HONDA Motor Logistics, JBT, Neovia Logistics, NMBS, PSA Antwerp nv, Seatrade Reefer Chartering, Thalys International, Trimble T&L, Volkswagen Group Services, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Zeebrugge NV, Westlandia, Witzenmann Benelux nv

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 Kris De Clercq
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